NEWS BRIEFS

Second annual Bonita Fest to benefit local non-profits

The second annual Bonita Fest will take place on Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs. Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees will enjoy live music, food trucks and meet more than 25 local businesses exhibiting in the park. A variety of local craft beers and domestic favorites will be on draft and available for purchase from a beer truck provided by Sun Coast Beverage. A family play area with bounce houses is sponsored by Sunshine Ace Hardware. Bonita Fest 2024 is also sponsored by RDA Consulting Engineers, Central Bank and Grumpy Goat Coffee.

Live music will be performed by DJ Memphis On Air, Edith Diamond and The Yabo Brothers. Food trucks on site will be Viet Yum, Pansardo, Alligator Creek BBQ, Cocktails and Things and Between the Bunz. Event proceeds will be donated to the Rotary Club of Bonita Beach Sunset and the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club. Businesses that would like to support the event via sponsorship or have a presence at Bonita Fest can email goatsofbonita@gmail.com to determine availability. For more event details, follow GOATs of Bonita at facebook.com/goatsofbonita

Lee Domestic Animal Services is celebrating “St. Pawtrick’s Day”

Lee County Domestic Animal Services invites you to celebrate “St. Pawtrick’s Day” throughout the entire month of March with reduced adoption fees. All dog adoptions are just $20 and cats/kittens $30 with an approved application.

The adoption package includes spay or neuter, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, county license and a 10-day health guarantee. That is a $600 package. A team of staff and volunteers are waiting to introduce a new four-legged family members. Stop by the adoption center Monday through Saturday between 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The shelter, located at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, is open for adoptions Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Volunteers are available to help adopters select the pet that is best suited for their lifestyle and family.

For more information, call 239-533- 7387 (LEE-PETS) or visit www.LeeLost- Pets.com .

Engage Estero publishes report on development in Estero

The pace of development in greater Estero is significant, making it difficult for residents to track and comprehend. Often, residents are unaware of a development until they see the grounds being cleared, by which time years of planning and decisions have already been approved.

Engage Estero, a not-for-profit organization, has alerted residents for over 20 years about developments and legislation impacting local transportation, population density, and overall quality of life. Its efforts continue with regular reporting on current and planned developments and advising residents on how they can participate in the planning process.

Recently, Engage Estero released its first Greater Estero Community Report for 2024, which extensively documents 35 pages of residential, commercial, and transportation projects just in South Lee County. The report highlights the impact that an estimated population of 57,000 along East Corkscrew Road in 10-15 years will have on the infrastructure of the greater Estero area.

The report can be downloaded at https:// www.esterotoday.com/research/, where Engage Estero publishes its quarterly, in-depth analysis of many issues affecting residents of the greater Estero Area.

EsteroFest offers free family fun, Ben Allen Band concert

Mark your calendars and get ready for family fun at EsteroFest 2024. The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce announced the return of the community event on Saturday, March 16, at Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. With free general admission for everyone in the family from 1 to 9 p.m., enjoy live music, Kids Zone, and Business Expo showcasing the unique products and services of local organizations. You can also enjoy the beer and wine garden, learn from displays by Estero Fire Rescue and the Lee County Sheriff ’s Office, and indulge in delicacies from a wide variety of food trucks.

The Kids Zone is back from 1–6 p.m. and it’s bigger and better than ever before with everything your kids could want — bounce houses, games, crafts, face-painting, storytelling and kid-friendly food trucks.

At 6 p.m., nationally acclaimed Ben Allen Band, a locally grown sensation, will perform live. With VIP packages available at EsteroFest.org for a premium seat, easy parking and a free drink, you can enjoy the show in style. Don’t worry if you don’t have a VIP package, just bring a chair or blanket and settle in for an unforgettable night of music and fun.

A Business Expo from 1-5 p.m. showcases the unique and local talent, services, businesses and organizations that make Estero such a great place to live. If you’d like to showcase your business or organization to attendees in the Business Expo, reserve a vendor table or sponsorship, or see updated on the event, visit EsteroFest.org .

Bonita Senior Center presenting the Senior Fair and Expo

The Bonita Senior Center announced two upcoming events that promise to be memorable and impactful for the community.

The Senior Fair and Expo will take place on March 18, at the Bonita Springs YMCA, located at 27200 Kent Road. The event, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will feature many local vendors. The first 150 seniors to attend will receive a complimentary breakfast. Attendees can also look forward to live music by Jerry Ammerman and the delectable offerings of the Dusty Dawgs Food Truck.

The Senior Fair and Expo is made possible by the generous sponsorship of FGCU, The YMCA, Lee Health, Inspired Living, and Artichoke and Company. Vendors are also invited to participate, with a $250 fee covering a table and two chairs.

These events are crucial fundraisers to support the Bonita Senior Center in continuing its vital mission of providing Health and Wellness programs, educational opportunities, and free hot lunches four days a week. Donations are warmly welcomed, and attendees will have the chance to contribute to a cause that positively impacts the lives of seniors in Lee County.

For more information, contact Karen Gustafson at kgustafson@bonitaseniorcenter.com . ¦

The post NEWS BRIEFS first appeared on Bonita Springs Florida Weekly .